Post Game: Nazty

On an average night that includes a Nazem Kadri hat trick, that’s all that probably needs to be said. Tonight, however, was not an average night.

Despite being outshot 57-28, the Leafs somehow stole a game out from under the Columbus Blue Jackets, winning their 10th in 12 games off of tremendous showings from Frederik Andersen and Nazem Kadri in tandem. We’ve got your rundown below.

1st Period

The night started off the way we all predicted, with Dominic Moore putting the Leafs up 1-0.

Yikes. Hope it’s not too serious for Gardiner, who has been lights-out offensively as of late.

2nd Period

Early on in the second frame, the game would be all evened up. Just 2:25 into the period, Nick Foligno would strike again after Travis Dermott got beaten by Alexander Wennberg. The Leafs’ lackluster start to the game finally came back to bite them. Tie game.

However, the Leafs’ offense would continue to shine despite their low shot count:

Kasperi Kapanen would come close soon after, ringing a shot off the post behind Korpisalo. Later in the frame, Jack Johnson would add on a goal to cut the lead to 4-3, but the Leafs would once again escape the period up by a goal. Shots were 40-18, which is almost vomit-inducing.

3rd Period

The third started off with Andersen and Korpisalo trading off impressive saves.

Nazem Kadri notched another point on the goal, his fifth of the night. The Leafs steal a win off of a stellar performance by Kadri and another lights-out showing from Frederik Andersen. His 54 saves on 57 shots were easily the difference-maker in what could have been an ugly night.

With the win, the Leafs improve to 35-19-5 on the year, now just 4 points back of the best seat in the house, currently held by the Lightning with 79 points and 2 games in hand.